Absolute Value Function

The absolute value returns the distance from zero of the input.

abs(x)

The absolute value function returns the distance from zero of the input number. For example, the absolute value of negative is equal to .

 abs(-3) = 3

 abs(-3) = 2

 abs(-2) = 2

 abs(-1) = 1

 abs(0) = 0

 abs(1) = 1

 abs(2) = 2

 abs(3) = 3

The absolute value function often appears in formulas where the sign of a number doesn’t matter. For example, the function appears in the distance between two points formula. Also note, that the absolute value function is often written using two vertical lines on either side of the expression that is being operated on.